Responding to climate change, rising energy costs, and security issues facing society, the College of Engineering and Mines offers Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in Sustainable Energy Engineering. These degree programs continue UND’s tradition as a world leader in energy-related research and education. The Sustainable Energy Engineering program educates graduate students in the growing field of sustainable energy engineering which includes the absorption and conversion of wind energy; geothermal energy conversion; renewable fuels and chemicals; hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization; energy efficiency; the environmentally acceptable use of coal; the absorption and conversion of solar energy and other technologies. Coursework is designed to help students develop a broad background in the technical, economic, and societal factors needed to develop sustainable energy. Research projects provide focused, experiential learning in areas of sustainable energy engineering. Projects are often conducted through our interdisciplinary Sustainable Energy Research, Infrastructure and Supporting Education (ND SUNRISE) research initiative, the Petroleum Research, Education and Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence (PREEC) or in collaboration with the Energy and Environmental Research Center.

This program is designed to equip students for careers associated with sustainable energy technologies as well as to conduct research and development activities or to pursue advanced studies associated with technologies that will provide sustainable sources of energy in the future. Coursework will be designed to help students develop a broad background in the technical, economic, and societal factors needed to develop sustainable energy. Graduates from this program are expected to find employment in the emerging renewable energy economic sector as well as in the coal-fired utilities industry and supporting engineering companies. The M.S. degree is the most common option in the Sustainable Energy Engineering program and financial aid is provided to the vast majority of students working towards this degree.

Details pertaining to admission requirements, degree requirements and courses offered can be found in the Degrees section.

Master of Science (M.S.)

Mission Statement and Program Goals

The objective of the Sustainable Energy Engineering Master of Science program is to equip students for careers conducting research and development activities in sustainable energy fields, or pursuing advanced studies in technologies that will provide sustainable sources of energy in the future. This preparation will be customized to meet specific areas of interest to the students and for which the faculty is qualified to manage and instruct.

Goal 1: Graduates will have mastered selected topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering and related areas to achieve their specific goals and objectives.

Goal 2: Graduates will be proficient researchers, having the skills required to formulate, assess, and document a hypothesis.

Goal 3: Graduates will be well prepared for a career in industry, government, or doctoral studies in sustainable energy engineering.

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

Mission Statement and Program Goals

The objective of the Sustainable Energy Engineering Master of Engineering program is to equip students for careers designing and implementing sustainable energy technologies or pursuing advanced studies in technologies that will provide sustainable sources of energy in the future. This preparation will be customized to meet specific areas of interest to the student with an emphasis on sustainable energy engineering design.

Goal 1: Graduates will have mastered selected topics in Sustainable Energy Engineering and related areas to achieve their specific goals and objectives.

Goal 2: Graduates will be proficient at engineering design, with the ability to solve complex sustainable energy engineering problems.

Goal 3: Graduates will be well prepared for a career in industry or government in sustainable energy engineering.

Master of Science (M.S.)

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies' current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

B.S. degree in chemical, mechanical or environmental engineering or related field. Students holding a B.S. degree in a science or an unrelated engineering field may be admitted to Qualified Status with an obligation to acquire background undergraduate engineering knowledge. The exact requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75, or 3.00 for the last two years. (An overall GPA of at least 3.3 for the combined BS ChE / MS SEE or combined BS ME / MS SEE degree is required.)

Graduate Record Examination General Test for those with undergraduate degrees from non-ABET accredited programs.

Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies' English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Thesis Option

A minimum of 30 semester credits, including the credits granted for the thesis and the research leading to the thesis.

At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.

A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.

At least 24 credits of coursework from sustainable energy engineering and related fields

24

Total Credits

32

Preparation of a written independent study report approved by the faculty advisor

Passing of a comprehensive final examination.

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies' current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

B.S. degree in chemical, mechanical, environmental engineering or related field. Students holding a B.S. degree in a science or an unrelated engineering field may be admitted to Qualified Status with an obligation to acquire a background in chemical or mechanical engineering. The exact requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.50, or 3.00 for the last two years.

Graduate Record Examination General Test for those with undergraduate degrees from non-ABET accredited programs.

Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies' English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 semester credits, including the credits granted for the design project.

At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.

A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.

At least 22 credits of coursework from sustainable energy engineering and related fields, which may include a minor or cognate, with at least 15 of these credits in engineering design-related courses as approved by the graduate program director

22

Total Credits

32

A written report documenting work on a successfully completed sustainable energy engineering design project.

Passing of a comprehensive final examination.

Students admitted to the Sustainable Energy Engineering program are expected to take the majority of their courses from the following course offerings. The student’s exact program of study is decided on a case by case basis by the student in consultation with their faculty advisor and with approvals by the Director of the SEE graduate program and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.